CHAPTER SEVEN: RYDER

Hours turned into days as our pack struggled to come to terms with the devastating loss we suffered during the rogue attack. The alpha's death still lingered in our minds and the weight of our future hung in the balance. He and the other wolves we lost were buried last night.

Luna Sable was beyond devastated at the loss of her mate. The pack link wasn't the only way we felt the weight of her sorrow as we could all literally feel the waves of her pain and grief roll off of her. 

Dad, Mum and Spencer took on most of the pack responsibilities ensuring our survival while the rest of us were healing at least physically..well except for Aria. She has been passed out since I shifted back.

The pack doctor, Greg said she came down with a bad fever because of her partially healed rib that got broken again most likely during the rogue attack plus her leg wounds got seriously infected. He said she'd have woken up by now but because of her low body strength and absence of her wolf, it's taking longer than it should.

This morning, Dad called for a gathering scheduled for this evening at the barely standing pack house's backyard where I was headed for.

I glanced around, not finding a lot of faces. We'd lost so many pack members it almost felt like a dream. I walked over to Spencer, this was harder on him than any of us. It felt like he'd lost both parents given Luna Sable's state. I gave him a hug, he squeezed back and breathed. I was about to ask how he was holding up when dad cleared his voice redirecting everyone's focus to him.

"We've lost our alpha, and our pack is in shambles," he said, his voice filled with determination. "But we have been given a chance to rebuild."

He stretched out his hand to one of the warriors who pulled out a small red envelope with golden intricately carved patterns with a symbol of a moon behind a howling wolf's head. This was Crescent Pack's Sigil.

"The Crescent Pack as we all know was the royal pack which controls the other packs, it's alpha the alpha king but due to civilization and some changes is now the Crescent Pack but still oversees other packs across the country. Alpha Kael of the Crescent Pack, even though the youngest alpha overseeing all other alphas is known for his wisdom and strength so we reached out to him." Dad said and breathed then unsealed the envelope and took out the letter from within it and continued.

"There has been an issue of rogue attacks from the southwest of the country. The rogue attack on our pack was highly unexpected as we are on the northwestern part of the country. Seeing as our pack is now in shambles, Alpha Kael has offered to host us till we rebuild our pack. We will be welcomed to the Crescent pack and provided shelter. But we'll be expected to contribute and respect their laws and ways for a peaceful coexistence."

"It won't be easy, but we have no other choice. Our pack is on the brink of collapse and Alpha Kael's offer is our only hope." Dad finished, tucked the letter back into it's envelope and looked up gazing at each of us. A silent question of agreement or not hung in the air.

The night sky filled with howls of agreement which earned a nod and a slight upturn of dad's lips.

"Very well then, we will begin planning our movement to the Crescent Pack right away" He said firmly.

As we prepared to leave our old lands behind, even for a while although we did not know when we would be back, a mix of emotions filled my heart. We were mourning our losses, yet the anticipation for the new chapter, a new beginning under Alpha Kael's leadership pulsed through the pack link.

Within a few hours and multiple cups of coffee, Dad, Spencer, Mum and the pack warriors designed our travelling movement with one third of the warriors shifted into their wolves going through the first and shortest route through the forest. Then the second third of the warriors alongside the children and the injured or recovering wolves who couldn't shift took the highway which was a two day drive from Slateville to Portland and then six hours to Crescent Pack, leaving the last third of the warriors coming behind.

By dawn, we began our journey to the Crescent Pack, the landscape shifted from the familiar woods and hills of our old territory to rolling plains and sparkling streams. I was among the last batch of travellers. If the situation was different, I would probably gaze out at the unfamiliar scenery.

The hours passed slowly, but eventually, we caught sight of the Crescent Pack's territory in the distance. The land was lush and green, with towering trees and a crystal-clear lake that shone like a mirror in the sunlight. The pack link buzzed with a sense of hope and excitement as Dad shifted and wore a dress shirt and pants handed to him by one of the warriors before holding out the Crescent Pack's Envelope to the warriors guarding the Pack's borders.

As we crossed over the borders of Crescent Pack , Alpha Kael stood waiting for us. He was tall, with piercing blue eyes and jet-black hair that fell to his shoulders. Even though as young as me, his presence commanded respect, and I could sense the weight of his authority.

"Welcome, survivors of the ravaged pack," Alpha Kael said, his voice strong and clear. "I'm Alpha Kael, this is Thane my beta" he nodded to one of the tall muscular guys with brown hair and brown eyes who nodded to us "and we'll do everything in our power to help you rebuild and find a new sense of purpose here in the Crescent Pack."

Dad stepped forward, his eyes locked on Alpha Kael's. "Thank you, Alpha Kael. We're grateful for your hospitality and willingness to help us."

"Let's get settled, then. We'll discuss the details of your integration into our pack later. For now, let's focus on healing and rebuilding. All the injured and recovering pack wolves will led to the infirmary immediately while the rest of you'll be shown your allocations" Alpha Kael nodded, his gaze sweeping over our pack as we were led into Crescent Pack.